Paul McCartney Hospitalized With Virus, Cancels Tour Dates

Paul McCartney has been hospitalized in Tokyo after being stricken with a virus that forced him to cancel a slate of shows.

The Beatles legend was in the midst of a tour of Asia when he came down with a virus. After fighting the illness for several days, the 71-year-old singer was taken to a Tokyo hospital, where he was receiving treatment.

On Thursday, McCartney’s publicist Stuart Bell said the singer “will make a complete recovery and has been ordered to take a few days’ rest.”

Paul McCartney was already forced to postpone planned shows in Tokyo and Seoul after he was struck with the illness last week. A statement released by the singer said the postponements were “unavoidable.”

“I was really looking forward to visiting and playing in South Korea for the first time and I’m sorry to be letting fans down,” McCartney said in a statement released by Seoul-based Hyundai Card Co. Ltd., an organizer for his South Korea concert. “I’m very disappointed by this and hope to be able to visit soon.”

It was a rare cancellation for the singer, who has recorded music and toured without many breaks over the last five decades. A message on his website said:

Doctors have ordered Paul complete rest and he has been doing all he can to get better. Paul has only ever had to reschedule a handful of shows in his entire career and is so upset about this situation, he hates to let people down. This morning he told his staff he was going to try and perform tonight against doctors orders, but his team, along with the doctors, wouldn’t allow it. He has been very moved by the fan’s reactions and messages of love and support he has received in Japan.

Many fans have expressed concern for the singer.

“Paul has been extremely moved by all the messages and well wishes he has received from fans all over the world,” Bell said.

Paul McCartney is expected to pick up his “Out There” world tour next month in the United States.